CARBONDALE – SIU Carbondale is one of just 26 universities across the country to receive a First-Generation College Celebration initiative grant.
The funding will enable the university to enhance and expand its commitment to supporting first-generation college students. The $2,500 grant is provided by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and FirstGen Forward, with support from TIAA and the Strada Education Opportunity.
About two of every five SIU students are first generation, meaning they are the first in their immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Each November, a campuswide celebration recognizes and honors these students, and the grant funding will be used in part for that recognition.
Planning is well underway for this year’s celebration on Nov. 8. SIU and its First Saluki Center have held the First-Generation College Celebration since its inception in 2019.
